Thrasher says splitting USF Poly would be first step for education reform

We're just about an hour away from the much-anticipated discussion at the Florida Board of Governors about whether to make the University of South Florida Polytechnic independent. The debate has powerful players on both sides, with a new one emerging just this morning: Sen. John Thrasher, from St. Augustine.

"By offering science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees through the unmatched polytechnic degree system to Florida students, and for a fraction of the cost of comparable polytechnic schools across the country, we can give Florida students and workers an educational experience that readies them to land well-paying jobs, and build a work force that will draw businesses to Florida, creating jobs and prosperity," Thrasher wrote.

It's an interesting argument because Florida's existing public universities already offer those degrees. And saying that the new polytechnic would offer programs at a fraction of the cost of other polytechnics around the country defies what is laid out in USF Poly's secession plan. The plan offers a direct comparison between USF Poly's current tuition and polytechnics around the country that charge twice, three times or even four times the tuition rate in a section explaining why USF Poly would need to charge higher "market-rate" prices. It's unclear exactly how much more USF Poly wants to charge.

It's also unclear how much splitting USF Poly off would cost the state, with the plan first saying that it would cost nothing, then pages later saying that starting in 2017, USF Poly would need an extra $222 million.

Still, Thrasher says an independent polytechnic in Florida would be a "legacy" that Florida's next generation deserves.

"When we have left public life and the next generation of elected officials take charge of overseeing Florida's education system, only one question matters: Did we do right by our children and grandchildren?"

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.